Headed in the opposite direction of Apple's iPhone

I have long been mystified by people think that their life is on their iPod or even their computer. 

The coming euphoria over the iPhone will just compound the problem and my confusion.

I finally decided that there are basically two kinds of people.

One type believes they cannot live without their iPod, iPhone, iMac, or iWhatever.

Then there are the folks like the guy on the sandbar in Bogue Inlet.  I seriously doubt he cares about an iPod or iPhone.

He is probably more concerned about tide tables than Apple's new user interface.

I am sure that Apple's iPhone is going to be revolutionary.  It might even be wildly successful.

However, I doubt the iPhone will have the kind of impact that the iPod has. 

The iPhone could end up costing more than an inexpensive laptop, but cost really isn't the main handicap.

I think perhaps the lack of buy-in on anything from Apple but the iPod from the Windows world might be the biggest challenge.

Adding phone and computer functionality might be a way to get around that, but I am not sure it will work.  Evening giving Safari away might not help.

Back when Apple announced the move to Intel I wrote the post, "Apple, Driving On The Left Side Of The Road."

It seems to me that there are a lot of people, many of them my friends, who have gotten very used to driving on the Windows side of the road.  The road is more than a little bumpy and slow but they have gotten used to doing things a certain way.  Even boatloads of viruses and spyware haven't created enough pain for them to migrate to what most technical people will agree is at least a safer and more hassle free platform.

I do not think much has changed from June 2005 when I wrote those words. 

I had a conversation the other day with a new computer user who is really having trouble in the Windows world.  A lot of what she does is photo related.  I told her I could fix her up with a Mac and she would have a much easier life.

She was petrified of starting over with another computer that was different.  I don't need the hassle of selling someone on a Mac who is afraid to be there.

Maybe it boils down to the people who really do not care about computers will never be Apple customers because they will always take the path of least initial resistance even if it is a road of pain and agony.

I care about user interfaces and things like that so I like Macs. I also can get more done with a Mac.

I have accepted the fact that I am part of a minority that will likely never grow past 10% of the computer using population, but as long as Apple keeps cranking out the products and doesn't antagonize the Firefox folks any further, I'll likely continue to use Macs.

Don't expect me to fall for the iPhone though.  My life will not fit in an iPhone, and I prefer either the real life view from a boat or beach.   A big screen Sony is acceptable when I cannot have the real thing.

Fortunately I do not see many iPods on our beaches down here on the Carolina coast.

I wish Apple luck with their iPhone, but they may have their work cut out for them.

Me, I'm going for another boat ride as soon as these thunderstorms pass.

Comments

[Adam]

Most people do not like to change. Especially when it comes to computers. Despite Microsoft's claims of Vista adoption, look how many are still on XP, let alone on 98. So her response doesn't surprise me.

I say ask her 3 or 4 months after she's gotten a few viruses and several pieces of Malware. She's got popup ads of porn and Windows is running slower than crap and she had to have it serviced and had to have Windows reinstalled.

Show her what you can do with a Mac and I bet she's willing to switch. Especially if you explain the lack of viruses and malware.

[mark]

yep, what you said. 500 bux for 4Gb is too much. Even so it looks like a good product. I'd advise all to wait for 2 Gen.

[Matthew]

i don't think id ever pay that much money for the iphone...because if it gets lost, stolen, or broken you lose your ipod and your cell phone in one day. but if it was given to me as a present? you but i would be the happiest guy in the world...which makes me really want to work for apple right about now....

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--matthew from the technology desk at thenewsroom.com